Bank strengthens Nordic partnerships – “our priorities are aligned”

The African Development Bank strengthens its longstanding partnerships with the Nordic countries this week as a high-level delegation, led by its President, Akinwumi Adesina, visits Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

"The Nordic countries are strong supporters of the African Development Bank, and they also contribute significantly to the African Development Fund. The Bank's strategies are perfectly in line with the Nordic countries' priorities. Together, we are striving to reduce poverty in Africa," said Adesina.

The June 6-9, 2016 visit will see Adesina hold talks with Government Ministers, heads of development agencies and business leaders. The mission seeks to bolster partnerships that will lead to increased support for Africa's transformation.

While in Norway, the Bank delegation will also take part in a Leadership Seminar on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It will highlight the Nordic commitment to the SDGs, and set out the Bank's 'High 5' priorities as the channels to meet them in Africa. In Denmark, the President will be a panelist at the Global Green Growth Forum.

Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are members of the AfDB as well as the ADF. They contributed NOK 1.77 billion (about US$ 212 million), US $104 million, Euro 126 million and SEK 2.04 billion (about US $245 million), respectively, to the 13th cycle of the African Development Fund, which is currently going through a Replenishment.

The Nordic countries support a wide range of Bank projects, including those in Energy, Climate Change, Agriculture, Water and Sanitation, Infrastructure, Human Development, and Private Sector Development.

The Bank's Ten Year Strategy for 2013-2022 focuses on five priorities for the continent: These are: Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialise Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.